9.13.2011

white house fact sheet on the american jobs act

This week, President Obama sent a message to Congress with the American Jobs Act of 2011, a plan to tackle nationwide unemployment, increase the pace of job creation and get the economy moving.

But with the rate of at least 235,000 Asian American and Pacific Islanders out of work for more than six months, what does the American Jobs Act mean for AAPI communities? For your information, the White House has released a fact sheet explaining some of the plan's measures and their impact.

Here's an excerpt:

9.12.2011

surrogate valentine los angeles premiere / goh nakamura live, september 15


If you're in Southern California, come see the Los Angeles premiere of Dave Boyle's indie comedy Surrogate Valentine, starring a few of my good friends, including musician Goh Nakamura and Lynn Chen.

The movie has played at a ton of festivals and picked up numerous awards, so now's your chance to check it out. It's screening Thursday, September 15 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. Here's the trailer:

toyota commercial: "growing up"


This is a really cool, creative Toyota commercial, "Growing Up," featuring an Asian American dad and daughter, using some interesting motion control effects. And of course, tugging a bit at your heartstrings. A lifetime of fatherhood in just thirty seconds. Take a look:

internship opportunity: oca-gla fall 2011 special events

Hey students! OCA-Greater Los Angeles is currently looking for qualified individuals to apply for the 2011 Fall Special Events Internship, a ten-week opportunity to help plan special events related to civil rights issues including voting rights, hate crimes, political empowerment, education and leadership development.

The internship is unpaid, but school credit is available, and it's a great opportunity to get experience working on advocacy issues critical to the Asian Pacific American community. Here are some more details about the internship:

flying while brown: september 11, 2011 edition


I had to fly on Sunday. Being the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, I figured security would be especially tight, and an extra pain in the ass, so I gave myself plenty of time to do the usual dance with TSA.

But when I got to the airport, it was a ghost town. The terminal was nearly empty, and it had to be one of the quickest trips through a security checkpoint I've ever experienced in the last ten years (and I fly a lot). That was unexpected.

Unfortunately, September 11, 2011 did not go quite as smoothly for three passengers on Frontier Airlines 623, flying from Denver to Detroit, who were detained by authorities on the ground after the crew reported "suspicious activity" on board: No charges against 3 detained at Detroit airport.

music video: "happy song" by emi meyer


Heavy times and all, here's some positive energy for you... Check out the new music video for "Happy Song," a great little ditty by the incredibly awesome Emi Meyer, off of her latest album Suitcase of Stones. The video features Louis Ozawa Changchien and is directed by our good friend Michael Kang. I love it. Take a look:

korilla booted from the great food truck race for cheating

Asians behaving badly... cheating food truck edition! If you've been following the latest season of Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race, it probably comes as no surprise that I've been rooting for Edward Song, Stephan Park and Paul Lee of Korilla BBQ.

All season, the Korean American trio from New York City has been on the road serving up their brand of Korean-inspired tacos, one city at a time, and completely dominating the competition. That is, until last night's episode.

[Spoiler alert!]

model rock ji channels the style (and abs) of bruce lee


Holy hotness. This fashion spread in the Fall 2011 "Archetypes" issue of VMAN magazine features model Rock Ji in an uncanny tribute to the films, style -- and muthaeffin' physique -- of Bruce Lee. All I can say is, wow. And damn, I need to hit the gym. More photos:

family sues joe and amy senser in fatal hit-and-run

In Minneapolis, the family of a man killed in a hit-and-run crash has filed a wrongful death suit against former Minnesota Viking Joe Senser and his wife, Amy, saying they want answers and accountability: In suing Sensers, family of the victim asks, 'Why?'

Amy Senser told investigators she was driving the SUV that struck and killed Ansousone "Bic" Phanthavongon, a chef at a nearby Thai restaurant who was pouring gas into his stalled car on an exit ramp when he was hit. He was declared dead at the scene.

But instead trying to get medical help or notifying the collision to authorities immediately, Senser apparently drove away, waited a day to report the incident and refused to speak with investigators. That's clearly a hit-and-run:

9.11.2011

read these blogs


"Fukushima" Music Video [Magnetic North & Taiyo Na]: "Dedicated to the victims and families of 9/11 and the Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Crisis of 2011. Dedicated to the victims of any tragedy compounded by not just natural forces but human error and deceit. Dedicated to those who in the midst of this, find the love and courage necessary to get back up on their feet and rebuild. Dedicated to love over evil."

Dear Andy: Every year, I make it a point to read MetroDad's annutal letter to his good friend Andy, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, and it moves me to tears.

For U.S. Muslims, 9/11 Began a Whole New Ballgame: Aasif Mandvi: Says The Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi, "After Sept. 11, as misinformation and Islamophobia spread across the American news media and into American communities, I suddenly began defending an identity to which I had a tenuous relationship at best."

Grieving 9/11 victim Christina Sunga Ryook on the 10th anniversary: This is an incredibly sad story about Dae Jin and Kyung Woo Ryook, who lost their only child Christina Sunga Ryook and still live with the tragedy every day.

9.09.2011

audrey's fashion night out, september 14


Style mavens and fashionistas! For those of you in Los Angeles, you're invited to Audrey Magazine's 4th annual fashion and party, Audrey's Fashion Night Out 2011, an evening of music, live performances, fashion and entertainment.

There will be a red carpet, an open bar (hell yeah) courtesy of Ketel One and special performances from Kaba Modern and the pan-Asian all-girl pop group Blush. It's happening Wednesday, September 14 at Exchange L.A. Here are some more details:

Austin Powers actor gets life in prison in rape-torture case

The actor who played Random Task, Dr. Evil's big Asian henchman guy in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, has been sentenced to life in state prison for a raping and torturing a woman in 1990: 'Austin Powers' henchman gets life in prison in rape-torture case.

Last month, 40-year-old Joseph Hyungmin Son was found guilty of felony torture, an offense that carries a life term without possibility of parole. He was arrested in 2008 after DNA evidence from a unrelated vandalism arrest linked to the 18-year-old gang rape case:

badass movie watch: the raid


Nine different people have sent me this new trailer for the Indonesian action movie The Raid, which made its premiere this week at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival. Word on the street is, this is the most ass-kickingest action flick to hit screens in a long time, and star Iko Uwais has the potential to be the new Tony Jaa. Just based on the trailer's two-minute display of badassery, I'm dying to see it. Take a look:

angry reader of the week: beverly nevalga

Hey folks. Once again, it's time for another Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Beverly Nevalga.

Who are you?
Beverly Nevalga. I grew up with a ton of nicknames: Belle, Belly, Bev, Bev-Bev, Bevy, Burger (ask me about that one!), BevMo. 5 cent sale? You're welcome.

What are you?
I'm a first generation Filipina American. I'm really anxious to learn more about the global origins of my ancestors. I've heard that I have pure Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese blood running through my veins. If you look at all our family photo albums, we're like a mosaic!

asian internet forum song


Is there anything more frustrating than having a conversation with the internet? No. But it can also be pretty damn hilarious. This music video, Asian Internet Forum Song by Prince Gomolvilas and Brandon Patton, is the actual text taken from an entire internet discussion thread, verbatim, and set to music. The song was apparently a big hit at the 2011 National Asian American Theater Festival. Take a look:

jeff yang's "asian pop" says goodbye

Bummer. Recently, we were hit with the news that Jeff Yang's "Asian Pop" for SFGate, one of the few regularly featured Asian American-centric columns in mainstream press, has been canceled. As it was explained to him from the people on high, "the economics of our business have changed in a way that doesn't support online-only columns."

Thus, Jeff's bi-weekly online dose of well-written, thoughtful and much-needed commentary on the best and worst of Asian America has gotten the axe. Dammit. In his final column, Jeff looks back at eight years of "Asian Pop" and says farewell -- and thanks: Goodbye.

makin' that china money: high school musical: china


I was perusing Amazon's new DVD releases for the week and came across this: High School Musical: China. I guess this is the Chinese version of Disney's wildly popular High School Musical movie. Because the world needed this.

Well, good for you, China. I had to go back into the archives and remind myself that I had actually posted something about this almost two years ago. My only question still remains: which one is the Chinese Zac Efron?

flight attendant betty ong's final call

As part of its commemoration of the ten-year anniversary of 9/11, Boston's WBUR has been sharing the stories of men and women from around Massachusetts whose lives were touched that day, including those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.

In this segment, we hear from Harry Ong Jr. and Cathie Ong Herrera, whose sister Betty Ong was a flight attendant on board Flight 11, the first of the two planes from Boston to hit the World Trade Center: 9/11 Stories: A Flight Attendant's Calm Final Call.

A decade later, it's still heartbreaking:

9.08.2011

retrofit republic one year anniversary/launch party, september 10


Another somethin' somethin' cool happening in the Bay Area this weekend... Retrofit Republic is celebrating its one-year anniversary as a sustainable vintage retailer and styling group with a social impact.

Started by a group of like-minded friends (including former Angry Reader of the Week Julia Rhee), Retrofit Republic specializes in vintage and recycled clothing and offer styling to individuals, changemakers, and brands.

At this Saturday's launch party, they'll be unveiling their 2011 Fall Lookbook profiling ten community heroes. It's happening September 10 at The Summit in San Francisco. Here are some more details about the party:

asian american literary review special issue commemorates the tenth anniversary of september 11

The latest issue of the Asian American Literary Review is a special edition commemorating the tenth anniversary of September 11 and exploring the political, legal, and civil rights repercussions of the event and its aftermath, particularly for the communities most directly affected -- South Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, and Muslim American.

The issue includes a Sikh American musician on the traumas of experience, before and after; an Indian American lawyer on defending Guantanamo detainees; a Pakistani American Muslim feminist on teaching September 11th; and much more, including a DVD with short video collaborations between spoken word/performance poets and video/visual artists on the ten years since September 11th.

Here's some more information about the issue:

jeremy lin featured in nike sportswear spot


Hey look! It's none other than #7 Jeremy Lin, point guard for the Golden State Warriors, featured in this cool video spot for Nike Sportswear's "Always On" campaign. Everyone's favorite (and currently, only) Asian American NBA player. Digging this:

the house of suh now available on dvd

All right. You've got to watch this documentary. The award-winning true crime documentary The House of Suh, directed by Iris K. Shim, is now available on DVD. If you missed it on the film festival circuit, and missed it on television, this is your chance to watch it on your own time.

I've been talking about this film for the better part of a year, and recently watched it again just the other night. Man, this is one hell of a documentary. It's a riveting, extremely well-made film that delves into the hows and whys of one of Chicago's most notorious murders.

But more than just recounting the circumstances of the case, at its heart, it's a horribly true tale about shattered American dreams, cultural assimilation and the complex family story behind a shocking crime that's anything but black and white. Here's the trailer:

new posters for a very harold & kumar 3D christmas


This Christmas, Harold and Kumar return. Are you ready? In anticipation of the third Harold and Kumar adventure, starring John Cho and Kal Penn, Yahoo! Movies just unveiled a new set of character posters featuring the titular stoner duo. Here are the rest of them:

fox sports cancels show after racist usc segment

So... you know that racist Fox Sports segment they shot at USC? The one with all the funny-talking Asian kids who knew absolutely nothing about football? The network has canceled The College Experiment, the show on which the segment aired: Fox Sports cancels show after video mocks Asians.

The video features comedian Bob Oschack approaching Asian students at USC and asking them to give an "all-American welcome" to new Pac-12 Conference members Colorado and Utah. The joke being, of course, that the hordes of Asian kids at USC are anything but all-American.

The show has reportedly been canceled, effective immediately, and Fox Sports issued another apology to the University of Southern California, as well as to "the Asian and Asian American communities":

how to hit on an asian girl


This is great. Check out this funny little video by Caitlin M. Boston, How To Hit On An Asian Girl, aka How Not to Harass an Asian Girl. It basically chronicles some of the trials involved with being an Asian female walking on the streets and in the world in general. Funny, but unfortunately true to life. Take a look, and see if you recognize some of these scenarios:

restaurant workers sue le colonial for discrimination

Saw this on Gothamist... In New York, a group of restaurant workers are suing their former employer for discrimination and retaliation, claiming they were forced, among other things, to take meal breaks in bathroom stalls. Gross: Chinese kitchen workers sue restaurant for discrimination.

Thirteen employees who were fired from the kitchen staff at Le Colonial Restaurant filed a lawsuit last week in state Supreme Court in Manhattan, claiming they were subjected to a number of harsh conditions, including standing for ten hours a day in excessive heat:

9.07.2011

desipina & co. presents barriers, september 7-18


To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, and to celebrate their tenth season, Desipina & Co. -- a fusion arts company focusing in film and theatre, dedicated to promoting cross-pollinations of artistic, political and cultural dialogues -- presents Barriers, a play by Rehana Lew Mirza.

Featuring a cast that includes Pooja Kumar and Sunkrish Bala, Barriers explores a South Asian family's loss from the 9/11 attacks and the backlash they endure. The show runs September 7-18 at HERE in Manhattan. Here's some more information about the play:

live webcast with secretary norman mineta, september 10


This weekend, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program is hosting a live webcast with Secretary Norman Mineta, who will discuss his life and the events and impact of September 11, 2001. It's happening Saturday, September 10, 2:00-3:00pm ET. Watch it here.

The talk will take place in front of Mineta's recently unveiled portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC, but you can log on and watch from anywhere with an internet connection. Here are some more details:

ex-friend arrested in murder of missing nursing student michelle le

Big break in the case of missing nursing student Michelle Le... This morning in Union City, police arrested 27-year-old Giselle Diwag Esteban on suspicion of killing Le, who disappeared more than three months ago: Police Arrest Union City Woman In Missing Nursing Student Investigation.

Esteban is described as a "former friend" of Michelle's. The two reportedly grew up together in San Diego and were good friends in high school, but they had a falling out. Esteban apparently had a restraining order issued against her by her ex-boyfriend, also a friend of Le's, just three days before Le went missing.

Hayward police cited DNA evidence, surveillance camera footage and cell phone records as compelling pieces of evidence that led to Esteban's arrest:

jennifer chung album release show at hotel cafe, september 10


Check it. For those of you in Southern California, YouTube's singing sweetheart Jennifer Chung is celebrating the release of her debut album 4 Years and Counting... with an album release party. She'll be backed by a full band and performing all twelve songs from the new album. It's happening Saturday, September 10 at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. Here's a video with Jen herself, inviting you to the show:

family of annie le files wrongful death lawsuit against yale

The family of Annie Le, the Yale graduate student who was killed in a research lab just days before her wedding in 2009, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the school: Family of slain Yale student sues university.

Annie Le went missing five days before her wedding in September 2009. Her strangled body was found stuffed in a wall at the lab building where she worked. Raymond Clark III, an animal research technician who worked in the same building, was sentenced to 44 years in prison for Le's murder.

The lawsuit claims that the university had a sexually hostile environment and had failed to adequately protect women on campus for years:

meet mike chang's glee parents: tamlyn tomita and keong sim


Hey, Glee fans. You have seen Harry Shum Jr.'s fly dance moves. Now it's about time we get to meet his TV family. According to EW, Tamlyn Tomita and Keong Sim will play the parents of Mike in an upcoming episode next season: 'Glee' casting exclusive: Meet Mike Chang's parents!

pop quiz: which answer is the most culturally insensitive?


Got this sent to us from Angry Reader Leanne... Her sister is studying for her NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse and came across this question on a Kaplan practice test. But something doesn't look quite right...

I'm guessing the point of the question is to determine how race and age factor into the condition (a quick Google search reveals that Native Americans and Asians have the highest prevalence rates reported for cleft lip and palate).

But I guess no one's going out of their way to teach nurses cultural sensitivity. Or maybe this is actually a trick question -- the correct answer can't be (1) because this is the year 2011 and we don't use that term anymore! Am I right?

(Thanks, Leanne.)

justice for neng yang

Earlier this year, I posted some disturbing news out of Vinita, Oklahoma about the brutal attack on Neng Yang, who was severely beaten by an angry pet owner after he accidentally ran over and killed a dog. He spent four days in the hospital, requiring reconstructive surgery after suffering shattered bones in his face, as well as two broken ribs and bruises on his leg.

29-year-old Scott Osborn is charged with aggravated assault. He claimed that he was afraid Yang was going to hit him, so he struck first. (I find this highly unlikely, considering that Osborn is 6'1" and 250 pounds.) Osborn also claims he hit Yang only one time, but the injuries are way too severe for that to be true.

Last week at a preliminary hearing, Yang and his wife gave testimony against Osborn. An second hearing has been scheduled for October 3. However, Craig County and the Sheriff's department are apparently refusing the victim's right to summon his surgeons and doctors to testify against Osborn. According to Yang's supporters:

9.06.2011

the month of remembrance


With the ten-year anniversary of the September 11 tragedy just five days away, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) has compiled a list of were community members can gather together to reflect and remember in a spirit of unity, as part of the An America for All of Us campaign.

The table above is a select list of upcoming 9/11 anniversary events. For additional events across the country, visit SAALT's interactive map here.

SAALT also recently participated in a national press conference call organized by the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights, and released a statement of shared principles along with other national civil rights, human rights, civil liberties, Muslim, Jewish and South Asian groups calling for, among other things:

    aaldef events commemorating 9/11

    This week in New York City, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund is hosting two special events to commemorate the tenth anniversary of September 11.

    In collaboration with New York Neighbors for American Values, they've organized a roundtable discussion on September 7 and outdoor vigil on September 8. Here are some more details:

    vogue model tapes eyes back for asian-looking eyes


    So it's not enough that the fashion industry regularly ignores Asian models (and other people of color). Here's the latest WTF... This behind-the-scenes video of a Japanese Vogue fashion shoot shows model Crystal Renn, who is Caucasian, having her eyes taped back to imitate the features of an Asian face: Japanese 'Vogue' Caught in Another Race Scandal. Here's the video:

    justin lin signs two-year deal with sony pictures television

    More awesome news for Justin Lin... Just a few weeks ago, we heard that the red-hot Fast Five director had signed a two-year first-look deal with Universal. Now Deadline.com reports that he's signed a first-look TV deal with Sony Pictures Television: 'Fast And Furious' Director Justin Lin Signs First-Look Deal With Sony Pictures TV.

    "remember them: champions for humanity" sculpture unveiling in oakland


    Today in Oakland, the Korematsu Institute invites you to the unveiling of the "Remember Them: Champions for Humanity" sculpture, which includes the likeness of Japanese American civil rights pioneer Fred Korematsu. It's happening at 1:00pm in Henry J. Kaiser Memorial Park.

    The 30-ton, 1000 square-foot monument is the largest bronze monument in the West, and includes twenty-five civil and human rights icons such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Dr. Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, Rosa Parks and Harvey Milk. Here's the full list:

    introducing justice goodwin liu

    Man, that took long enough. Goodwin Liu is finally a judge. Last week in San Francisco, a three-member state commission unanimously approved the UC Berkeley law professor's nomination to the California State Supreme Court: Goodwin Liu confirmed to California Supreme Court.

    It's been one hell of a long road getting here. Earlier this year, after much drama and debate that lasted more than two years, Senate Republicans successfully blocked Liu's nomination to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That sucked. This time around, the process went a lot smoother:

    fox sports produces racist "humor" segment at usc


    Fox Sports' recently sent comedian Bob Oschack to the University of Southern California campus to see what students thought about Colorado and Utah -- two supposedly "good old-fashioned all-American" schools -- joining the West Coast conference previously known as the Pac-10. The joke being, of course, that the Asian kids at USC are anything but good old-fashioned all-American: Fox Sports Singles Out Asian Students At USC For Interviews On Football.

    bored on summer break? join the libyan revolution!


    What did you do on your summer vacation? Bet you didn't join a revolution. But Chris Jeon, a 21-year-old math student at the University of California Los Angeles, decided to end his summer break with a bang. By joining the Libyan rebels. Like, in Libya: Bored UCLA Student Joins Libyan Rebels.

    9.05.2011

    read these blogs


    Preparing for the NBA (Ep. 30): YouTube's KevJumba gets a hard lesson on how to be an NBA player from none other than Jeremy Lin of the Golden State Warriors. It does not go very well.

    Youtubing with Kevjumba: In turn, Kevin taught Jeremy a few things about making videos for his newly launched YouTube channel. It went a little better.

    Stretch marks are beautiful, like exotic foreign ladies: APA Compass sounds off on a recent column in the Washington Times on harmful beauty standards -- a totally reasonable message... accompanied by questionably racist photos.

    Secret history of Building 640 revealed: The Presidio National Park in San Francisco is making plans to honor more than 6,000 linguists -- many of whom were Japanese American -- who served the United States during World War II.

    9.04.2011

    Guest Post Roundup



    I am back, desperately hanging on to the final fading moments of my vacation. It was a relaxing, rejuvenating and much-needed break. Many thanks to all the guest bloggers who stepped up and shared all these great posts while I was away. In case you missed any, here's a recap of their contributions:

    9.03.2011

    guest post by dumbfoundead: respect the OGs


    Aloha! I'm on vacation, taking a much-needed break from blogging for a bit. But it's all good, because I've enlisted the help of some great guest bloggers to keep things going around here. Here's Los Angeles rapper Dumbfoundead paying tribute to two Asian American pioneers.

    What' up guys! I was excited and honored when Phil asked me to be a guest blogger! I have been following this blog since I was an Angry Asian Boy and have sustained my anger into my transition as a man. I haven't written anything in non-rhyme form in a long time so a lot of the grammar and spelling might suck but bare with me.

    guest post by eddie lee: get your hopes up, our moment is now: a case for a new generation of asian american political leadership


    Aloha! I'm on vacation, taking a much-needed break from blogging for a bit. But it's all good, because I've enlisted the help of some great guest bloggers to keep things going around here. Here's Eddie Lee of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on why getting your hopes up is a good thing.

    In 2007, I dropped out of college to take part in something I believed in. Four years later, I work for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, serving as a liaison to the AAPI community. While I was met with naysayers and barriers along my path to where I am today, hope never left me. My story and the stories of this community are proof that dreams do come true as long as we don't lose hope.

    9.02.2011

    angry reader of the week: bd wong

    Greetings, good citizens. It's time to meet another Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is actor BD Wong.

    Who are you?
    My name is BD Wong, which stands for something that one can somewhat easily Google.

    I have name issues because I changed my name professionally at the beginning of my career, causing momentary Two-Name Discord until I finally fully committed to the one (new) name. A few years ago, the periods in my first name were dropped when the DMV computer could make no place for them on my driver's license. At that time I made my driver's license, passport and credit cards all consistent, without periods (pain in the ass). NOW I have name issues because I have to constantly assert to everyone that there's no periods in my name like there used to be. Celebrity problems (yawns).

    guest post by emily chang: the curse of the chinese school cheater


    Aloha! I'm on vacation, taking a much-needed break from blogging for a bit. But it's all good, because I've enlisted the help of some great guest bloggers to keep things going around here. Here's actress/writer/producer Emily Chang who wishes she had paid more attention in Chinese school.

    When I audition for a part that requires speaking Chinese, I'll call my mom in a panic, asking her how to simplify sentences written by Hollywood screenwriters. I once read for a role in a Guillermo del Toro movie and I translated dialogue into Chinese that had the eloquence of, roughly, "I come from there. When I remember stuff, I remember bad." (Stunner: I didn't get the part!) Around me, dozens of other Asian actresses frantically called their moms too, asking how to say this or that before the casting director called them in.

    It's finally here, the time my parents warned me would come: The day I'd regret not paying more attention in Chinese school.

    9.01.2011

    guest post by grace lee: youth is overrated


    Aloha! I'm on vacation, taking a much-needed break from blogging for a bit. But it's all good, because I've enlisted the help of some great guest bloggers to keep things going around here. Here's filmmaker Grace Lee talking about Grace Lee Boggs and the next American revolution.

    For the past few years I've been working on a feature documentary on Grace Lee Boggs, a 96-year-old Chinese American revolutionary philosopher and activist in Detroit.

    Here are a few things I've learned along the way:

    guest post by david yoo: yellow snow

    Aloha! I'm on vacation, taking a much-needed break from blogging for a bit. But it's all good, because I've enlisted the help of some great guest bloggers to keep things going around here. Here's author David Yoo on getting over feeling like a fake Asian.

    A few years ago I would have felt like an imposter, faced with the prospect of guest blogging here given that, as with anything remotely Asian related, I used to feel woefully unqualified. For most of my life I'd felt like I was a fake Asian, or a Koridiot -- a term I coined years back that never really caught on, due to the fact that my blog has a readership of about 8 (consisting mostly of middle-aged pervs in Ohio who are convinced I'm a 12-year-old Asian girl because I'm on Xanga.) I felt I just didn't meet the unspoken pre-requisites of being a typical Asian guy, which I figured were, in no particular order:

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